27
Expansion of station and theming
03 | 04 | 2019

Now, until the big day in mid-May, there will be plenty more work to complete the overall experience of the explosive ride with "Dynamite". In co-operation with Hofmann figures, the thematic design of the waiting area and train station gets its finishing touch, with the guys from IMAScore we develop the right sound and the fine tuning in the discussion about our German premiere progresses. Everything, of course, in the appropriate western and mine style. Also, some structural safety precautions are still on the agenda. We are in good spirits that we can celebrate the official opening of Germany's first Big Dipper Coaster in mid-May with you in the context of a huge party. More here soon and on www.freizeitpark-plohn.de.

26
Preparation and execution of the dummy rides
29 | 03 | 2019

After various preparatory work and fine adjustments to the lift chain, brakes, drive, the exciting moment is approaching. The dummies adapted to authentic body weight were allowed to make their first rounds. Everything is going according to plan and satisfying. And even here it is clear that the ride is pleasantly quiet and pleasantly fast. Currently, the track is being retracted so nicely, ultimately to rush through the elements with a maximum speed.

25
Inserting the vans
02 | 04 | 2019

Finally: The long-awaited delivery of the car is here. The seating elements were unloaded and final assembled. The approximately 4-tonne cars with 8 seats each are made of almost one piece and thus very stable and resilient. With their dynamite case optics they take up the name "Dynamite" perfectly. Of course, the cars with this look are a real Plohn-unique. Then it went with the crane to the insertion of heavyweights on the rail and maintenance track.

24
Completion of the pillar foundations
25 | 03 | 2019

As a final floor work, the support feet on the shear key still have to be poured into concrete. Thanks to the spring-like temperatures, this work was completed on schedule.

23
Completing the assembly of the tracks
18 | 02 | 2019

Thanks to the experienced crew from “RCS”, the assembly of the tracks went smoothly. Now, all 51 track elements have been put in their proper place and we can celebrate the successful completion of the track. The striking silhouette, which can already be seen from the car park, is already giving people a sense of what coaster lovers can expect: a slick combination of a 40 metre high first drop, direct tunnel entry, helix, Immelmann turn, loop, zero G roll and inverted drop.

Next we are carrying out various “detail work” on the lift chain, brakes, motor and the casting of support bases; and of course we will report back soon on the construction blog.

22
Assembling the lift and lift top
18 | 02 | 2019

Next, the spectacular phase of lift assembly approached. After the impressive over 25 tonne and more than 35 metres long lift element had been pre-assembled on the ground, the exciting elevated assembly of the gigantic lift and lift top elements began. This goes up an impressive 40 metres and is therefore higher than any other roller coaster in Saxony. But there is little time to enjoy the brilliant view... because then the first drop awaits.

21
Installing the tracks part 2
29 | 01 | 2019

The stretch leading to the loop is currently being put in place, and the progress made so far gives a first impression of the impressive heights that our explosive “Dynamite” ride – the first of its kind in Germany - will one day attain! The next step is to install the floor of the lift, which will have its remaining elements fitted at dizzying heights in early February. Construction is so far proceeding according to schedule, so keep your fingers tight crossed! We will of course keep you up-to-date with the latest developments.

20
Installing the tracks part 1
29 | 01 | 2019

Now things are really heating up: the installation of the striking red rail sections is entering the critical phase. With 72 supports and 51 sections of track each weighing around 4 tonnes, it is worth starting off in the right place to form the roughly 500-metre-long route – a huge feat for the boys from RCS Team! 22 sections have already been fitted, meaning installation in the tunnel is now complete, as is the curve around the Western Rodeo.

19
Beginning the assembly
04 | 12 | 2018

And so the big moment has arrived, the one that we have all been excitedly anticipating for weeks: the first supports and tracks are being installed. The most difficult part comes right at the start, as the tracks are installed in the tunnel. This process becomes very complex, as a crane cannot be used to suspend the track sections in order to assemble them – and when each track section weighs around 4 tonnes, putting them together is no mean feat. In addition, supports are assembled on the tunnel. These supports have a special shape in order to distribute the load to the walls. Further assembly areas include the first drop and the inside of the station, where the single 2-bar rails are being installed. One thing is for certain: the excitement is set to continue over the winter months, so we’ll keep you posted!

18
Station decoration works – entrance
04 | 12 | 2018

At the same time, the conversion, extension and elaborate decoration works in the station are advancing. Eventually the waiting area shall convey an authentic first impression of the fun “Dynamite” riding experience. And it goes without saying that we are also going the extra mile for you when it comes to the theme. Following the gutting of the old Silver Mine entrance area, things are progressing quickly in this regard, too. In a laborious process during which great care and attention was paid to the details, we gathered together theme-appropriate decorative features from across Germany, including an old sawmill near Cologne.

17
Delivery of the track
04 | 12 | 2018

The wait is finally over: it’s time to hit new heights! Filling a remarkable 30 HGV loads, the first elements were delivered for assembly. Along with screws and connectors by the box-load, other parts were also diligently unloaded: the signal-red track supports for our new family roller coaster, “Dynamite”, the brackets for the supporting bars and the supporting bars themselves have all now reached their final assembly location.

16
Production of the tracks
08 | 10 | 2018

And because we have couldn’t take the excitement any longer, we went on short visits to MACK Rides in Waldkirch in the snow. There, the production of the ‘Dynamite’ tracks is in full swing. The triangular connectors have been prepared, as well as the first elements of the three point tracks and the accompanying bridges for the lift in progress and if everything goes to plan, the big delivery is due at the end of October here at the park. Then from November, there will be nothing to stop assembly. Fingers crossed that everything goe sto plan. We will keep you up to date!

14
Finalisation of the foundations
08 | 10 | 2018

Then the final foundations in the looping and lift areas are already pending. Particularly at the beginning of looping, the foundations are exposed to exceptional strain and accordingly must be laid deep. Here, our team will of course not allow themselves to be stopped by such a gigantic discovery as this 30 tonne boulder.

13
Finalisation of the transfer platform and maintenance hangar, foundations for the station
08 | 10 | 2018

The last work on the transfer platform and the maintenance hall is coming up. A coaster can be driven into the maintenance hall via the transfer platform depending on the number of visitors and drive ‘Dynamite’ with minimal waiting times in a need-based way with one or two coasters. Various maintenance work on Germany’s first Big Dipper Coaster is being completed in the hall. The station is also getting its last foundations.

Animation Layout "Dynamite"
13 | 08 | 2018

12
Starting decoration of the tunnel
22 | 06 | 2018

Of course, theming was also very important to us in this construction phase. Without the typical ‘Plohn style’, things would not work here. The tunnel to the mine is getting its first expensive accessories: turbine, transmission shaft, water wheel, steam engine, all decorative elements brought together in keeping with the style and in loving detail from the whole of Germany. So our construction site enters its summer break. In the holidays there are no longer any limitations from construction work. In Autumn things will get rolling. We will keep you updated.

11
Beginning construction on the railway station
22 | 06 | 2018

Up next is the beginning of construction for our railway station. This means: Base layer of concrete up to the rocks, deeper foundation, then cleanliness layer. Then we proceed with applying the concrete to the top and cladding the walls. The side walls for the marshalling yard for the maintenance hangar are already in progress.

10
Construction of the individual foundations - part 2
22 | 06 | 2018

The construction of the individual foundations presented particular challenges due to the particular soil properties at first. But now swift progress is being made. The foundations for the looping are on the agenda, with the enormous centrifugal forces in curves and looping, stability must be guaranteed in all directions. The support wall for the tracks provides additional stabilisation.

9
Construction of the tunnel - part 3
22 | 06 | 2018

We are well on schedule. The construction of the tunnel to our German premiere is making progress in leaps and bounds: The tunnel roof has already been clad. The next step is the completion of the concrete layer for the top. On the way to Westernplatz you can already see the impressive tunnel construction.

8
Building the individual foundations
20 | 04 | 2018

We now move on to building more than a hundred individual foundations, the foundation stones for the subsequent track route of our premiere in Germany. Each foundation will be given its own support shape depending on the respective precise load of the foundation. An unbelievable amount of power is released in Dynamite’s sharp curves. Each foundation is dug after being examined and recorded separately.

7
Blasting the rock for individual foundations
19 | 04 | 2018

Caution: explosive substance! Germany’s first Big Dipper Coaster isn’t the only thing that’s going to be explosive: the roughly 120 individual foundations cannot be built without dynamite. The bedrock surface is higher in some places in the area of the former silver mine, due to which blasting is necessary. Several boreholes are being made and around 350 m³ of rocks blasted. The sound of the huge explosion resonates through Plohn and its surroundings.

6
Tunnel construction - part 2
19 | 04 | 2018

The construction of the tunnel for our new major attraction is beginning to take shape. The walls are being built and put up, which will be followed by the ceiling formwork and the casting of the ceiling. The tunnel will be an impressive 7 metres wide, 7 metres high and approx. 25 metres long for Dynamite. Stability is our highest priority because there is still more to be done to the tunnel - we’ll keep you guessing.

5
Construction of the individual foundation footings
15 | 03 | 2018

Now comes the construction of the foundations. In order to guarantee 100% stability each individual footing has to be put in place right to down to the rock 7 metres deep, including 6 metres of oversite concrete. Every frost-free day is used, in order to maintain the production schedule.

4
Start of construction on the tunnel
16 | 03 | 2018

The construction work on the tunnel begins. A total of more than 200 tons of steel is used, as reinforcement for the foundations, among other things. The floor slab for the tunnel alone devours some 300 m³ of concrete.

3
Earthworks for the tunnel
16 | 03 | 2018

The preparatory earthworks for the tunnel begin. Enormous masses of earth have to be moved and transported away for this purpose.

2
Clearing of the building land
06 | 02 | 2018

The access to the construction site has been prepared and new space created. A few preparations for earthworks up to 7 metres deep are needed, before things can finally get started.

1
Dismantling of Silvermine
01 | 02 | 2018

Goodbye Silvermine: our venerable roller-coaster is going to a well-earned retirement. It will be divided into individual segments. Possibly one part of it or another will turn up in a new location in the park, who knows?